Essay Questions

How does Paul Tremblay appeal to ecocriticism?

Paul Tremblay appeals to pastoral ecocriticism. He situates the cabin in New Hampshire in a sparsely populated locality. The place is so remote that it lacks cell phone service. Woods and grass surround the cabin. Besides, the title alludes to the rural aspect of the setting, which is "at the end of the world.” There are wild animals, such as buffalos, grasshoppers, and bears, among others which add to the patrol ambiance. The romantic location is ideal for relaxation. It offers an ambiance to be intimate with Mama Nature. Wen experiences her intimacy by hunting grasshoppers which may be hard to come by in urban settings.

Discuss how Paul Tremblay demonstrates that the definition of the modern family is changing.

Wen belongs to a same-sex family with two dads and no mother. Her friend Rodney belongs to a same-sex family with two fathers too. Comparatively, Sasha, another friend, belongs to a family with two mothers. In the neighborhood, some kids come from families with step-parents or families with unmarried parents. The changing dynamics demonstrate that society is moving away from the traditional family where parents belong to opposite genders.

Elaborate on how extremist religious views promote prejudice towards same-sex families.

Some conservatives Christians hold that same-sex families are ungodly. Wen recounts a moment when “Scott…told her that God didn’t like her dads and they were fags, and he got suspended and moved into a different class.” Scott is homophobic because he hates Wen’s two fathers. Scott’s attitudes may be attributed to a religious upbringing that condemns homosexual relations. Accordingly, his attitude is attributed to socialization. He has been taught that godly families are those with heterosexual parents. His suspension is a form of operant conditioning intended to change his attitudes toward homosexual people.